Friction-clutch mechanism for automobiles and for other applications.



A. BALLOGA, FRICTION GLUTGH MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES AND FOR OTHER APPLICATIONS. APPLICATION FILED TAN. 18Y 1906.

934,264. Patented Sept-14,19( )9.

Ink/liar B Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. ALBERTO BALLOCA, OF TURTN, ITALY, ASSIGNG JI CZO COMPANY ITALA, FABBRICA DI AUTOMOBILI, 0F TURIN, ITALY.

FRtG'rION-GLUTCH MECHANISM FORAUTOMOBILES AND FOR OTHER APPLICATIONS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 14L, 1999.

Application filed January 18, 190$. Serial No. 296,730.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that l, Annnuro Rumour, a subject of the King 'of Italy, and resident of Turin, Italy, have invented certain new .fiy wheel, Figs. 3 and 1 are face view and section of one plate of each of the two series. This clutch mechanism is composed of a drum 1 (Fig. 1) in one with the fly wheel of the motor; upon the interior surface of this drum are arranged numerous grooves 2,

-' similar to key ways. "In the interior of this drum is the sleeve 3 (Fig. 1) formed of two concentric cylinders connected together at one end by a web portion and having a flange on the other end of the outer cylindcr. This sleeve rotates upon the spindle 4 (which forms a continuation of the motor crankshaft) and is terminated by the shaft This sleeve 3 is provided with numerous projections 6 in the form of keys. Fixed to the end of shaft 5 is the T-bracket 7 which is provided with the grooved collar 8 and the two rollers 9 rotating upon the pivot bolt 10; these two rollers engage in the slots formed in the piece 11,'forming the head of the transmission shaft. Vvith this arrangement the entire sleeve 3 can be made to move a certain distance axially and further it can in consequence of the articulation formed by the movable rollers and the grooves, form a small angle with the transmission shaft without injuring the proper transmission'of the motion, so that it can adapt itself to the elas-' tic deformations of the chassis of the car.

The drum 1 is hermetically closed by the cover 12. Against this cover through the intermedium of the ball bearing13, bears one end of the spring 14 the other end of which latter bears against the bottom of the sleeve 3.

The clutch mechanism is-completed by the two series of plates 15, 16 (Figs. 3 and 1). The plates 15 (Fig. are formed with projections 17 which engage in the grooves formed in the drum 1; the plates 16 (Fig. &) are formed with grooves 18 in which engage the projections or keys, formed on the sleeve The plates of one series are mounted alternatcly with those of the other, and consequently any two consecutive plates are fixed the one to the motor shaft and the other to the transmission shaft, while they can all inove'slightly in the axial direction. All these plates are pressed against each other by the spring which forces the sleeve 3 constantly against them. The pressure of this spring 14 creates between theplates such a friction that, when all has been exactly calculated, it is suflicient to transmit the power of the motor shaft to the transmission shaft. If the action of the spring it is reduced bv slightly moving the sleeve 5) in the direction of the axle (toward the right hand of Fig. l) the pressure between the plates will cease and with it the transmission of power will cease. Motion is given to the sleeve 3 by moving the lever 19 on its axis 20, said lever being engaged in the grooved collar 8. But as for the good working of the clutchmechanism it is necessary that it contains a certain quantity of oil, it happens that even when pressure between the plates is caused to cease, a certain adhesion continues to be maintained between them and the transmission of the motion does not completely cease. To obviate this inconvenience, the plates are made of an elastic material and those of one series (say for example that of 16, Fig-.4) are bent slightly in such manner as to form a cylindrical surface, so that when they become them to become detached from those of the.

other series, viz 15.

It is useful to observe that in the clutch apparatus forming the subject of the present invention:. 1st. It is the sleeve 3 carrying the plates 16 which by being moved axially thus reduced to :1

produces itself the transmissielx. at power or the stoppage of such transmissien; the 1mm- E1" of pieces and conseque'zztly minimum. 22nd. The spring 14 by bearing at one end against the edver 0f the drum. and at the ether against the sleeve 3, which by the intent-medium 6f the disks or plates bears against the batten: eaf the trum, does not exert any efi'm't on the shafts plates is obtained not onlty theta" eemplete detachment from each other in the unclutch ing p0sitiun,' but this separation is vesy easily and very regularly made, tieezw e isnot produced 1111 stem-e upon the en of the plates.

Claims. -1. ha fimetlon clutch meehamsm the Weight is 3rd. By the curved team at the eembflmtion at fiat frietienai disks alternated with eyhndmcaHy-bent disks.

in a. frlctzon clutch mechanism, the

wmbinat'ion with the driving and drivenshafts; ef a phu'ahty of fiat inctlonaldl'sks mtetedby one of sand shafts; and a pin ratity of eyfimirieeHy-bent disks rotated by the other shaft and adapted to be flattened against the that t'tisks during the operation of clutehing, The foregoing specification signed at Turin Kingdom of ltaiythis' fifth day of Jamaal-y 1906 ALBERTO BALLOCA.

In presence of- Gommme C. Pianist, 

